Letters To The Editor

Tasha Hights wrote a letter several weeks ago complaining about the military sending her husband to Korea.

Hights, your husband chose to be a part of the Army. He was not drafted. You chose to marry him, and don't tell me someone failed to mention that part of his job is to go where he is needed.

It is indeed sad that you and your daughter could not go with him and that he has missed her first year and your wedding anniversary. Perhaps you've never heard the saying, "If the Army had wanted a man to have a wife and family, they would have issued him one."

My husband went to Korea also and his family could not go with him, either. The only difference in our two stories is, it wasn't peace time when he was there and the enemy had no sympathy for me. They shot him.

Not only did he miss one anniversary or one family birthday, he missed more than I can remember because he served his country for 27 years and guess what, we are still married. The military is not the cause of failed marriages as you seem to think.

Jane Ogden

Hampton

RIGHT TO PRIVACY

The only sustainable argument against allowing homosexuals and bisexuals in the military is centered on the right, not privilege, of personal sexual privacy.

You can wish away sexual harassment through the institution of some strict conduct code. However, what will a friendly touch, nudge, etc. (though no sexual advance was intended) mean to someone who is alert (educated or scared) to sexual harassment situations? What will it mean to the 18-, 19- or 20-year-old men and women from rural counties of America (where historically, most young military people come from) who may not yet be fully aware of his or her sexuality? Will they be swayed into homosexuality, experimental or otherwise, because someone caring and pleasant had constant access and was there in times of stress?

We should also remember other minorities are banned from military service because of biological and/or sociological construction and/or behavior; those who are too fat, too short, too tall and too dumb.

The basic question all young military men and women are entitled an answer to is "Am I constitutionally entitled to a privacy wherein I am entitled to not display my person in such a manner as to even possibly create sexual interest or arousal in another person?" The answer to our question is at the foundation of sexual separation for the sake of sexual privacy.

Any other position probably can be found to be unconstitutional. Otherwise, all forms of sexual separation will be subject to extinction, including male and female separation.

William E. Townsley

Yorktown

24-HOUR ELECTION

I certainly agree with Milton E. Lyon ("Change voting day," Nov. 12) that the reporters of the "instant" media - television and radio - are not showing restraint when reporting voting preferences. Responsible journalism demands that the media report the news rather than race to predict the winner before all the polls are closed. Instead of using two days to poll the public, consider another option.

Suppose all voting precincts across the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) opened at the same time. And supposed they all remained opened for 24 hours. In this manner all citizens would have the same influence on voting. Since votes could not be canvassed until the polls close, this may reduce the influence that the instant media have on voting patterns.

Why not give it a try? In the event it didn't work, change it back to the present system. However, the feeling I get is that the citizens of the United States would appreciate another method of voting so as not to have the instant media predict the outcome before all citizens have an uninfluenced vote.

Delmar C. Gillette

Newport News

PRAISES MUSEUM

This is in response to Colonel Cole's recently published letter expressing his disappointment in Hampton's Virginia Air and Space Center. In defense of the center and as its full name implies, its objective is multi-purpose. In addition to the prime focus on air and space, a special emphasis need also apply to Hampton Roads' history.

The orientation film which is relative to Hampton's theme, "First From the Sea - First to the Stars," serves quite well to make this need indelibly clear.

Cole, perhaps new to the area, may not be aware of our unique historical significance or of the miraculous renaissance of Hampton's waterfront and downtown areas. Just a few years ago, the concept of the center was a dream on the far-off horizon.

Today, many thanks to the combined efforts and varied contributions of many, it is in reality an architectural masterpiece and a dream come alive which stands to serve its intended purpose in grand style.

As for the appearance of "unutilized space," from my viewpoint that is never a problem during lectures, parties, specially scheduled previews and other events for members. Let this be an invitation to Cole and others to consider membership and enjoy so very much for so very little.

Robert C. Armentrout

Hampton

YOU CHOOSE

The Bible says homosexuality is unrighteous. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Homosexuality is sin.

I had the privilege of serving in the U.S. Army. I slept in a two-man tent, showered and bunked with several good American young men who did not claim to be homosexual. Would you want to sleep and shower with someone who claims to be a homosexual? I pray that you would choose not to.

As our country continues on the path of moral decay, we will all soon face God on judgment day.